492 NUTMEGS, MACE. 



single seed contained within the ovarium, which, in ripening, 

 forms a fleshy fruit (not unlike the Apricot in appearance) that 

 bursts into two halves, displaying the seed in its centre. The 

 nutmeg is partly enveloped in a covering to which there is 

 nothing analogous in most tribes of plants; this is called the 

 arillus ; and it is known as mace. The mace lies between the 

 fleshy fruit and the contained seed ; it does not form a complete 

 covering, but has many large apertures, through which the dark 

 seed appears. It is, when fresh, of a bright scarlet colour ; but 

 this changes in drying to a dull yellowish brown.* The Nut- 

 meg was originally grown only in a small group of islands in 

 the Eastern Archipelago, termed the Banda or Spice islands, of 

 which the Dutch early obtained possession. That nation desired 

 to secure to themselves the trade in this valuable spice ; and 

 they endeavoured so to regulate the quantity produced, that the 

 price of it should be always kept up to a high standard. Some- 

 times they cut down trees ; and in other instances, when the 

 crop was too abundant, they even destroyed immense quantities 

 of the spice. They more than once, however, suffered dearly 

 for their avarice ; the nutmeg trees of Banda having been nearly 

 destroyed 'by the hurricanes and earthquakes, which spared 

 other islands. The nutmeg has now been for some time culti- 

 vated by the English in Sumatra, and also in the "West Indies. 

 Although the quantity produced in the last-named islands has 

 hitherto been very small, there can be little doubt that, if the 

 trees received greater attention, it might be much increased; 

 but the attention of the planters is unfortunately so much fixed 

 upon a few objects, such as Sugar, Coffee, Cocoa, and Cotton, 

 which yield an immediate return, that they are apt to neglect 

 what might ultimately be more profitable, especially if it do 

 not succeed on a first trial. The quantity of nutmegs imported 

 into Britain in 1839 was about 280,000 Ibs.; but of this not 

 quite half was kept for use in this country. Several species of 



* When it is desired to preserve the nutmeg and mace as a curiosity, the hest 

 way to prevent the loss of the beautiful colour of the latter, is to keep the fruit 

 in a thick syrup, made from the best white sugar. 



